Meeting 01 • 05 January 2010

Version:
1/25/10
Today • my deadline page

numbers in ( ) = minutes planned for activity/ topic
√ = topic / activity that was adequately dealt with during the class
+ = topic needs more attention & will be resumed at next / subsequent meeting(s)
- = a topic / activity that was proposed but not carried out (but will be taken up later)
Struckthrough text like this = a topic / activity that was proposed but not included / is not going to be taken up after all
Italic text like this = comments after the meeting
Main topic(s): Introduction to Assessment; the FL and AL Cultures

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(5) Welcome. introductions, overview (see TOC link: "course description & goals")

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(10) Course explanation: foundations and concepts

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(20) Ice-breaker activity: Who we are and what experiences of assessment we bring to the course. (Ever "frozen" on an exam - or "aced" one? Ever realized that, as a teacher, you have given a lousy exam - or (are you sure??) a wonderful one?)
How do non-specialists talk about tests? How do they express their estimates of language skills?
Media clip: Two very ordinary guys talk about tests in college, including a French test use this link to hear the audio clip, or go to my language-related media page to sample the larger collection of such.

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(30) Group discussion(s): The difficulties, breadth, and purposes of assessment
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(10) How to adjust the course: issues related to Applied Linguistics, ESL, and the TOEFL? How to support participants who haven't had an intro language pedagogy course?

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?(10) Demographic "survey": backgrounds and professional interests of instructor(s)

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?(10) Demographic survey: participants' previous coursework and work experience; language inventory

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(10) Course explanation: mechanics

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(10) Assignments: 1) reading, see the "schedule & assignments" page (under modification); 2) written assignment #1: reflection about a newspaper article

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(10) Announcements, debriefing and summation
Upcoming class meetings

07 January: discussion of Hughes reading and the Oregonian article; mention of the optional textbooks; ••?? the AL and FL "cultures" - differences and similarities; scoring guide for Assignment 1; broader discussion of assessment and grading in the course
Upcoming assignment(s)

This section offers a PREVIEW, not activated assignments. Assignments are made, with announcement of their deadlines, both in class and on the "schedule" page. The next topic (week 2, 12 & 14 January) is "Language 'gold standards'": ACTFL Guidelines, the standards and test instruments of the European, ••?? and the TOEFL Test. Also information about where to find other widely-circulated tests. The FL participants will get an assignment that emphasizes ACTFL Guidelines; ••?? the AL participants will get one that focuses on the TOEFL. All participants will rate themselves (or someone else) on the ACTFL scale, by comparison to its profiles. ••?? All participants will examine items from the TOEFL test.
Announcements

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Misc.

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